During the inauguration of the Family Lounge by Calligaris at Bluenergy Stadium, Gokhan Inler, Kosta Runjaic, Jesper Karlstrom and Christian Kabasele said a few words, expressing their enthusiasm about the new area for players and families. They also offered their views on Saturday's game against Bologna.
Inler: “This new Family Lounge is very important for the team and it's a project we all worked on to bring to completion. At the end of the day, football is about winning but if you want a great team you need to be able to enjoy your free time too. Here the lads can spend time together, have fun and relax.
“Bologna is another match and another challenge. We know they're an excellent team who will come here motivated and try to take the game to us, but we have plenty of motivation too. We're gaining experience and it's an important time for us. It will be a tough game but the lads know they can perform well.
“We'll be playing in front of our fans again and the last two at home have gone well. We want to play with that same grit. Every match in Serie A is a battle and we must put everything into it.”
Runjaic: “They say that you build a team in the dressing room and I agree with that. Now we have this wonderful new space and I'm very excited about this journey we're starting with the Family Lounge. It's a fantastic initiative that lots of people have been involved in, putting passion, love, work and time into it. I want to thank those people and also Calligaris for making all this possible. I hope this Lounge can help us push on to do even better, as well as being a place where we can spend time together.”
“I'm expecting a big performance on Saturday so that we can make it a double celebration for this inauguration.”
Karlstrom: “This is a beautiful place that can help us become even more of a team. I think Udinese does an excellent job of helping our families with everything and this Lounge is another step forward.
“Bologna are in good form but so are we and we're ready for this match. We're going to need to play really well if we want to beat a great team, and that's what we aim to do.
“I feel good and I think I've done a lot better in the last few games. I had chances to score against Atalanta and Roma. I feel I'm more of a goal threat now. It can take a bit of time to adjust to being captain. The team has found stability now too.”
Kabasele: “Having this area makes a big difference to us. It's the first time we've been able to use it since I've been here. It's a great initiative by the club.
“We're more united this year and the results have helped. We're a family with everyone pulling in the same direction.
“I expect a difficult game against Bologna because they're a great team but with our fans' support we can beat anyone.
“It's easier when you play a few games in a row. I keep working as I always do but this is just the start. I have to keep going like this. It was a blow for us when we lost [Thomas] Kristensen but in this team if one of us can't play there's someone else ready to come in.”